Cyborgology and bioprinting: The biotechnological future of maxillofacial rehabilitation

Abstract

Maxillofacial prostheses now benefit from the growing advances in converging technologies, such as nanotechnologies, biotechnologies, informatics and cognitivism (NBIC). Instead of being laid and passive, prostheses can now ensure true neurophysiological interactions with their wearers through complex phenomena of hybridization and vicariance. These new devices get closer to “maxillofacial amplification prosthesesâ€, by improving the world perception through restored sensory properties and new extra-sensory properties. These technological devices also benefit from the bioengineering revolution that will soon allow the bioprinting of graft prostheses with an intimate integration to the organic maxillofacial support. In this article, the authors would like to present some major advances in cyborgology and bio-printing in maxillofacial hybridization contexts. (Int J Maxillofac Prosthetics 2019;1:20-26)